The ‘80s: Our Listeners Punch the HOF Ballot

Dave and Milt reveal the listeners’ survey-driven top 10 forgotten ’80s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-worthy artists, noting the oddly neat result that—like the ’70s episode—about 10 acts clear a “put them in” majority threshold.

The B-52s brought the beehives, The camp, the kitsch, the fun,But was weirdness enough when all was said and done?

Steve Winwood had that golden voice, From Traffic to MTV,“Higher Love” was cool but twice-inducted? Must he be?

Then Mötley Crüe came crashing in, With hairspray, booze and flame,They filled arenas, scared your mom—But does excess equal fame?

Tracy Chapman, quiet and fierce, Had songs that cut straight through,“Fast Car” somehow never gets old- is her résumé enough for you?

Toto had chops to spare, “Africa,” “Rosanna,” too,The session-player super-team—Though critics often said, “Not you.”

Eric B. & Rakim changed how rappers rap, Rakim rewrote the rules,Their influence towers over their charts—Does innovation trump record sales and pools?

Rick Springfield was Jesse’s jealous friend, A heartthrob with a hook,He had more hits than some recall— But does the Hall give soap stars a look?

The Smiths inspired gloomy souls With Morrissey and Marr,Influential? Undeniably. But four albums—does that get you far?

Bryan Adams rocked the summer nights, With raspy, fist-pump flair,A mountain full of radio hits— Is that true rarefied air?

DEVO wore the flowerpots, And warned that we devolve,Can they whip the Hall of Fame? A mystery to solve.

Don Henley left the Eagles’ nest and did some solo stuff;